The Star-Ledger reports:
| The state 400 record of 52.56 set in 1998 by U.S. Olympian Mikele
Barber of Montclair, has eluded the Stanford-bound Baker for the past
couple years, but with her opportunities dwindling, Baker finally
achieved one of the biggest goals of her career in breathtaking fashion
at Sunday's USA Junior Championships (19-and-under) at Hayward Field on
the campus of the University of Oregon. With a berth on the U.S. Junior National team at stake, Baker made sure the opportunity didn't slip away, charging across the finish line in second place in 52.46 to become the fastest 400 runner in N.J. history (pre-college) and secure a spot on the U.S. team. Kendall Baisden, who will be a sophomore at Texas, won the race in 52.21. The top 2 finishers in each event that meet the qualifying and age requirements will compete for the U.S. at the IAAF World Junior National Championships (July 22-27) at Hayward Field. Baker's 52.46 took down the NJ record of 52.56 that Barber ran when she won the 400 at the 1998 Foot Locker National Scholastic Championships at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C.. Baker finished her high school career with six individual outdoor Meet of Champions titles (four in the 400), a state track and field record 11 Meet of Champions individual titles between indoor and outdoors combined. She also won two Penn Relays MVP's, two national 400 titles (one indoors and one outdoors), and finished her career undefeated in the 400 against New Jersey competition, and is now the state record holder in the 400. | |
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